Julie Says

Dec 26, 2016 01:02PM
● By Julie Ross

Julie Ross

If you can tell me what
physical activity involves eggbeaters, paddlewheels, and happy frogs, chances
are I see you a few times a week. And we are wet, sometimes chilly, but always
working out with a smile.

A few years ago, I liked to
exercise three times a week at the Pleasant Hill YMCA. Each day, I moved the equivalent
of an adult elephant using various weight machines, followed by a session on
the treadmill watching music videos. (Usher and I would likely never have gotten
together without VH1 at the Y.)

After a shoulder injury put a
damper on my weight lifting fun, I quit the gym and spent a long time relying
on walking and hiking to keep in shape until I discovered the new love of my
life (no, not referring to Usher; that was years ago, only one song and I have
completely moved on). I am talking about water aerobics, again at the Y.

It’s a place where “Who wants
noodles?” is not an offer of a high-carb snack but pool noodles, used in
creative ways to stretch and strengthen muscles. There is a menu of moves,
including “wooden soldier,” “rocking horse,” “pendulum,” the challenging
“starfish,” and a fancy “wax on/wax off” move. (No exercise regimen is complete
without the special lingo.)

The outdoor pool at the Y is
heated to a (usually) comfortable temperature, so the water classes are held
year-round. Yes, even in January. Rain or shine. There are two morning classes
plus one afternoon and one evening class offered every weekday and one morning
class on Saturdays and Sundays. Each instructor has a different style and
choice of workout music, from show tunes to classic rock.

In addition to the regular
water aerobics classes, there is a high-intensity interval water workout
offered once a week for muscle building, as well as a deep-water class, where
participants wear floatation belts and exercise suspended in the deep end of
the pool, which makes for some tricky moves but is easy on the joints.

The Pleasant Hill Y has
undergone some major renovations since I went several years ago. Aside from the
pool, there is a large gym with a truly impressive amount of state-of-the-art
workout equipment, a cross-fit gym (the one with the giant medicine balls and
whatnot), spin classes, aerobics, Zumba, and something involving a darkened
room with mats. Meditation? Adult naptime? Not sure -- you will have to come
check it out for yourself.

I’ll bet you have a New Year’s
resolution that could have something to do with the YMCA. No time like the present
to find a new love.